Aloiampelos ciliaris aka Climbing Aloe

Aloiampelos ciliaris is a succulent shrub known as climbing aloe. Its older name is Aloe ciliaris. It belongs to the Asphodelaceae family and comes from South Africa. Its native range lies in the Cape region, including the Eastern Cape. It grows in coastal scrub and dense inland thickets. In dry river valleys, its stems rise through thorny trees. The curved leaves help it grip the plants around it.

This fast-growing plant can scramble, mound, or climb with support. Without nearby trees, it forms a loose, untidy shrub. It has no tendrils, so a trellis or shrub provides support. Many slender, partly woody stems grow from a swollen base. LLIFLE reports stem lengths of about 16 feet [5 metres] or more. Chicago Botanic Garden records some reaching 30 feet [9.1 metres]. These figures describe stem length, not a fixed upright height. Older stems have grey bark, while young tips remain flexible. Leaves and flowers cluster near the ends of the stems.

The green leaves are narrow, pointed, and somewhat fleshy. They bend back and act as hooks while it climbs. Small white teeth line their edges and continue around the leaf bases. Flower stalks rise near the tips of the branches. Each stalk is unbranched or has one side branch. The flowers hang down in groups of roughly 20–30. Their red tubes have greenish-yellow mouths. Chicago Botanic Garden lists bloom from November through June. The plant draws birds and butterflies, and deer tend to avoid it.

Grow climbing aloe in full sun and freely draining soil. LLIFLE recommends light, fertile soil with a pH of 5–6. It tolerates drought once its roots have settled in. The supplied care data also lists moderate watering. Chicago Botanic Garden places it in USDA zones 9–11. It can survive some frost, but severe frost harms it. A bright windowsill is another growing option. LLIFLE describes it as easy to grow, with few routine problems.

Gardeners use it as a groundcover, border plant, or supported vine. Its dense growth can also form a hedge. Cut stems can root after their wounds dry and seal. Seed, suckers, and division offer other ways to grow new plants. Spring-sown seeds take about three to four weeks to sprout. Young seedlings need protection from frost.